Tag: Assisted Living Centers Reform Bill

Assisted living centers are medical facilities intended for those who have disabilities. This is where those who are in some ways incapacitated placed so that they can receive proper medical care. Recently, assisted living centers have become instituted to ensure that the special needs of the disabled are taken care of. But a relative (or someone who is responsible for the person), it would be appropriate to take a closer look at how and why this is the place for your disabled loved ones.

Reflect First
Your decision to have assisted living for your disabled relative is crucial before going into its parameters. There are families who simply can’t attend to these people and have relegated to the medical staff their responsibility over their relative. Be sure you have the right a reason for choosing assisted living and that is to treat and take care of your disabled relative more closely.

How About Your Needs
Consider all options before going into assisted living. You may have time management issues as of late, a reason why you choose to lodge your disabled relative inside an assisted living center. But you must have anticipated that you can’t keep up the bill in the long run. Assisted living centers are just as suitable homes for your disabled relative, but take a closer look at your resources first before you decide to use the services of assisted living.

As Much As Possible, Get Referrals
Ask and get referrals from those who have had experiences with assisted living. It pays to do your research before delving into something. Better still, ask for a list of assisted living centers and choose from among them which best suits your disabled relative. Always keep in mind that assisted living is only made possible with your love and support. They need that even more while they are on assisted living.

Assisted Living is usually associated with senior care, but it can also be treatment care for adults who have mental illnesses. These centers provide special care, along with housing, support, and treatment under a residential setting.

Things to Consider
Oftentimes, the family makes a firm decision to recognize the need for residential care. The family might have lost control over behavior over the mentally ill or personal efforts are just not enough. Whatever reason for transmission, there are some things you need to consider when choosing an assisted living center:

Psychiatric Needs
Not all assisted living centers specializes the treatment for certain mental illnesses. So, look for one that concentrates and specializes on your family member’s needs. You can always discuss with your health care advisor regarding their specific needs.

Location
The most preferred facility is the one nearest your home. However, mental health experts tell otherwise. They believe that the farther the home, the more progress a person can get and finding their one’s self again.

Features
It is of great importance to shop around and look for facilities as many as you can. Having more options can make way for comparison and better decision-making. Make sure to know the features of each facilities and if they can cater the specific needs of your family member.

Cost
Health insurance usually covers cost for treatment and housing in assisted living centers, while others do not. Depending on your insurance policy, you can ask them if they can provide financial assistance. If you have no insurance, you can find a rich source of referrals for affordable treatment from your State’s health centers. In special cases where mental illness is due to abuse, several government programs offer financial aid.

Assisted Living Centers, also referred as residential care, is a kind of living arrangement where personal and essential services for daily living is provided, especially for seniors. It also provides the emotional aspects needed such as security, feeling of belonging, and comfort. This is not similar to nursing homes. The main difference is that assisted living creates independence by letting residents live under normal residential settings.

When Moving a Parent

Deciding to move a beloved elderly parent into an assisted living is difficult. If you already made up your mind, then there are two certain things you need to consider before pushing through:

Cost

The charge for services varies, depending on location and type of care. Private Assisted Living centers range from $800 to more than $5, 000 a month. Add-ons that may need to be covered are medications, laundry service, security, and transportation. Comparing fees with different facilities can help you find the best option. Also, make sure to notice how often a facility raise their prices.

Now, who will pay for the cost? Medicaid pays for the services in assisted living centers, except for room and boarding. Not everyone can benefit this though, Medicaid does not cover those who have assets more than $2, 000. Overall, Medicaid can only pay less than 11% of the total cost.

As for Medicare, excluding those under Supplementary Security Income (SSI), more than 90% of the total cost will be paid by individuals or families. They will not pay for housing except for those who are mentally retarded and developmentally disabled.

Cost for assisted living may be cheap for those who have insurance. Depending on age, you can only pay 3-8% out of pocket cost for a three-year stay.

Residence

Local and national referral services exist in helping you decide where to find a good place for the elderly to live. The Department of Human Resources in every state can provide a list of public services. Private referral services can be of great help as well.

Shop around and visit as many residences as you can. Know what you need and find out if they can cater those. Better to talk to staff, residents, and other family members to know the current situation of the place.

Conclusion

Assisted living center are not cheap, so be ready for it. Also, since you are entrusting the lives of your beloved ones, make sure you find the best one you can find. So, take time in knowing these facilities. Once you have these two factors figured out, moving your parents would not be as difficult.

AB 1554 would force Community Care Licensing to begin investigation of problems including abuse, neglect, or serious harm to assisted living centers residents within 24 hours and to complete this most important investigation within 30 days. Assembly member Nancy Skinner’s regulation to change the state’s defective program used to examine problems of neglect and abuse within California’s 7,500 mature care homes was approved this week by the Set up Human Services Panel on a single, bipartisan elect.

Responding to the scandal at Valley Springs Manor in Castro Valley, where 19 senior citizens were abandoned by the home care owner and reports stating problems in management and administration regarding California’s residential care features for the seniors, Skinner introduced AB 1554 to enhance the investigation and complaint procedure. The bill is part of a package of changes subsidized by the California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform. “No longer will problems of abuse and neglect be taken under the rug. The terrible occurrence at the Castro Valley care service was avoidable,” Skinner, of Berkeley, said. “We know now that more powerful measures are needed to ensure the safety of our most vulnerable.”

Media reviews have exposed problems in the Community Care Licensing (CCL) issue investigation program exposing a design of superficial investigation, poor interaction with complainants and weak administration. At the hearing, Eric Boice, of Colfax, recounted how the issue and investigation procedure failed his mom, a former primary school instructor clinically identified as having Alzheimer’s. Boice said his mom passed away in 2009 as a result of the abuse and neglect she received while at an assisted living service in Auburn, California. “The investigation procedure was a joke,” Boice said. “We had proof and content information supporting our claims of abuse, yet the state organization did not demand any more information nor did they get in touch with our lawyer. My family’s experience is a sad commentary on our region’s capability to secure residents in assisted living centers.”